“He wasn’t doing it intentionally to hurt him. That’s not Joe Mays, that’s not what we teach,” Fox said. “It’s an accidental play in football. We see it around the league every week.”

Here’s what Mays told The Denver Post about the hit on Sunday evening:

“I’m just trying to hurry up and get to him before he gets the ball off,” Mays said. “But he got the ball off, and after the release, he kind of ducked his head. As soon as he ducked his head, it was a bang-bang play. I knew as soon as it happened, I’m going to get fined for that.”

Looked to me like the hit came off the right shoulder pad not the helmet.

TexansFan_YesIam

look again, dummy

GoRomney

Q: Why are there so many unsolved murders in Texas?

A: There are no dental records and everyone has the same DNA

Living in Denile

Anyone who thinks that was not intent to injure is in denial. You got a few cheap shot artists up there in Denver home of the cheap shot Donkeys. Had the Texans done the same to Manning it would be the headline on every sports show. No way to play the game trying to put someone out of the game like that. And then you got Manning walking off the field with nary a hand shake. Spoiled rotten poor sport. Lost any respect I had for the Broncos and Manning. What a bunch of sore loser cheap shot Donkeys! Better hope no one goes after brittle neck Manning like you guys did Schaub. Give credit where it is due. Donkeys got dominated simple as that.

BloodySchaub

I’m confused, does the titanium that is infused to his spine make him more brittle? You are truly living in denial. The Texan’s are a flash in the pan, and will not do shit in the playoffs like usual.

Nobody was trying to put anyone out of the game. Schaub ran a naked bootleg and held the ball too long. Yeah, it was a courageous play on Schaub’s part, but you are going to get rocked when there are 3 defenders all converging on you as you throw. Do I think Mays will/should get fined, probably. Do I think he started out that play, or even that hit, with the intent to injure Schaub: NO. That is like saying that Cushing’s hit on Manning was intent to injure, but he just missed. No, he was out for a sack and that was all. Mays tried to let up after he realized the ball was gone or he would have gone ahead and driven through Schaub. It was just too late for him to pull up after Schaub let it fly.

Cobia MD

Are you kidding me? It was obvious that the defense was headhunting since they knew the only way they had a chance was getting rid of Schaub.
I don’t care what Fox or Mays says. They lose all credibility after a shot like that.
I hope Mays is suspended for the Faders game and loses an additional 100k to the charity of the victims choice.
Man up Bronco fans. Call a spade a spade.

Anonymous

Geez what’s with all the whining from Texan fans? It was a hard hit. Looked like shoulder to head actually. Why don’t you just put a skirt on Schuab and you guys won’t have to worry about it anymore?

SkullCowboy

Looks like looks like. Obviously you didn’t actually see the in game replays. Mays laid the forehead of his helmet square on the bottom of Schaub’s facemask then stood up. That was almost the entire point of contact in the hit. Not on purpose? Bull.

Bmills

Why don’t you put on a skirt and let me hit you in the head with a helmet.

Really, put a skirt on Schaub? He went to the sidelines for 1 play after this vicious hit where he lost a chunk out of his ear. Missing one play is required by NFL rules if the team didn’t want to lose a timeout. Then he was right back out there. Sounds pretty tuff to me.

TexanFan_YesIam

you are a moron. if it was the other way around and cushing did that to manning it would be the top story of the week. W, 31-25 chumps

Paul

Cushing did do that to manning. See below.

Kat

Cushing at least had his hands up to make a tackle, Mays dropped his hands and went in helmet first. How is that the same?

Paul

Cushing also led with his helmet into Manning’s helmet. You’re going to defend his because he wrapped up better? It was a helmet-to-helmet hit in both cases.

Wait till November

Living in denile, you’re off your rocker. Even Phil Simms said that the Mays hit was on the shoulder pad. Did you miss one of the texans DL blatantly trip manning after a play in the first half? Mays is the opposite of a dirty player. It’s PRO football. Huge dudes trying to dominate eachother on every play. It’s football. Quit cryin. Hardly think a win by six points with blown coverages for texans touchdowns qualifies as getting dominated.

TexanFan_YesIam

you lost your mind….31-11 before you guys got some garbage pts, including a tipped ball to my boy dreessen

mario guajardo

blown coverage!3 times! talking about living in denile broncos were dominated on both sides of the ball we tried to hand you the game at the end and broncos still lost. while you and the broncos are sitting on the couch in january watching the texans roll through the playoffs try to take your head out of your ass in the meantime

PK

Got a lot of respect for Schaub the way he kept firing after that hit. Hard to root against Kubiak and Wade and the boys, but looking forward to us getting better. And looking forward to some divisional play!

Denial

CaliMark……..looks like the one that needs a skirt is Eric Decker. Got to love that sissy slide he made. Bwa ha ha!

Bmills

It was a cheap shot plain and simple. The defense was desperate to stop them from scoring. Pay the fine, serve the suspension and move on.

I don’t care about what was taught or what Mays intented to do, or how stupid the NFL rules are. Let’s look simply at the hit.
That was the worst illegal hit in the NFL season so far, and it wasn’t even close. There’s no excuse for this one. Schaub didn’t duck down, Mays didn’t hit him with his shoulder, none of the usual excuses work on this one.
Mays should have been ejected from the game. Read the commentators. Not the ones in Texas–they’re biased. Read ESPN and SI and CBS Sports. It’s a 100% consensus. The hit was as dirty as it gets and he should have been ejected.
I’m reading the threads on the DP Forum and a few Bronco fans are stepping up to admit the hit was a dirty play and Mays should be punished. Props to you guys. Then there’s a few classless jerks who are trying to justify this hit. I wonder how they would like it if someone hit Manning like that. You can be the hypocrites would be singing a very different tune.

Rocky

It looked like to me he was trying to duck down but didn’t take into account the fact that the throwing motion brought Schaubs head forward and down just a tad… if he was thinking he would get there before Schaub threw – and would’ve been correct – it would’ve been a clean hit.
While sitting with the benefit of instant replay it’s easy to see the faulty conclusion but in the provebial – ‘in the heat of battle’ – it’s not so hard to see that happening.
I’d be more suspicous if Mays had a previous reputation to play dirty like Romanowski had – but Mays so far hasn’t shown that propensity and as such I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Bologna. Are you watching the same video I am? Mays went head down, helmet first and launched straight into Schaub’s head. He wouldn’t have even been able to see what Schaub was doing with his missile approach.

Rocky

I did watch – think what it would’ve been if he’d been there at the beginning of the throw rather than the last part – the helmet would’ve met at the chest. The throwing motion moved the QB’s head forward and slightly down – it looks to me like bad timing on that type of attack than anything else.
Like I said – I’d be more skeptical of Mays was known to be a dirty player – if it was Romanowski – yeah I’d suspect it was a dirty hit. Mays hasn’t shown that tendency and as such I believe deserves benefit of the doubt.

John Marshall

Watch him launch—first off his right foot, then his left— with the top of his helmet directly at Schaub’s head. Under the rules there is no possible way to defend this in any way.

John Marshall

Also consider the way Mays throws up his right arm after the hit to follow through. Certainly looks to me like someone trying to injure.

Anonymous

This whole “speed of battle” is a disingenuous phrase. If you have played or coached football, even at an intermediate level, you would better realize that the ability to act out precise movement with great power and at great speed is what a player practices every day. We run many forms of helmet on the ball drills, and proper tackling drills EVERY DAY, all at FULL SPEED. Take for example Harrison’s direct hit on the knee of that overthrown receiver last year that ended his season (I think) – it is my OPINION he knew EXACTLY what he was doing and how to do it. Just from a probability standpoint, you would not have back to back to back “coincidental” “heat of battle” “accidents” by the same players week to week. Period.

Paul

coach,
In your post above you said that you slowed it down, frame-by-frame, from two different angles to determine his intention. Now, I hardly see that “speed of battle” phrase as disingenuous if you had to slow it down, look at each frame and from different angles to determine this. If you couldn’t determine at full speed that he had intended to hit helmet to helmet, then I’d say it’s actually disingenuous to say the speed of the game doesn’t matter.
You may indeed practice at full speed making contact and tackles a certain way, but I would doubt they are always carried out to perfection on each hit in games. The speed of the game and heat of the battle certainly does matter.

Anonymous

You are correct, mistakes happen. I also believe that great care must be taken if anyone is attempting to evaluate intent. My point I failed to make clear as I intended is this, most people would be surprised what highly skilled athletes are actually able to do and control at full game speed, and I am guilty as anyone at trying to ‘hide it’ or ‘excuse it’ when I did not want someone to know, in my case as a center and fullback, was holding, punching at the ball in a pile, and so forth. Being around hundreds of kids a year, I can tell you there are dozens who ALWAYS say, “I didn’t mean to”, but later you find out they did. “Disingenuous” probably was not the right word, “surprisingly inaccurate on many occasions” might have been better.

Thanks, Steve

Paul

I agree care must be taken in attempting to evaluate intent. Athletes might be able to control a lot at game speed and perhaps the intent is there with some. However, I don’t like to assume that it is and I don’t think you can do that in looking at this hit. Nothing in the video tells us what his intent was. I think if you really wanted to take care in evaluating intent, you’d reserve judgment rather than jumping to such a conclusion.

Paul

It’s funny how upset everyone is. Mays apologized to Schaub after the game.

Randy

What I think is funny is people like you who see nothing wrong with it because it came from a player wearing orange and white, and everything should be ok because he said sorry. Doesn’t work that way. Players like Mays and Miller need to learn how to play the right way instead of their team because of bone-headed plays.

Paul

Show me where I said there was nothing wrong with it, Randy.

Anonymous

Having watched the hit, I think it is very fortunate that Schaub was able to even accept the apology, and fortunate his season wasn’t over.

Randy

I agree. As a Texans fan, I would have been upset if any of our players hit Manning like Miller and Mays did with Schaub. They weren’t just dirty, they were stupid, ultimately cost their team yardage, and did nothing to Schaub.

Cushing was not flaged for a Helmet to Helmet hit,. If you actually watched the game it was because Manning Tripped over cushing hands fell to the ground and hit his head.

Paul

There’s a photo of the hit in the comments below. Cushing’s hit was illegal, whether flagged or not.

Scotty

when schaub threw the ball his head moves into the way of mays head. If he had not threw the ball Mays head would have hit right beside his shoulders. Mays was already commited and could not stop at speed he was coming.

Anonymous

I am not a fan or non-fan of either team; but, After downloading an HD vid and watching this frame by frame from 2 angles, and having coached youth and school teams for years, there is no doubt, that
dipping, leading, and placement of the helmet was indeed intentional.
Further, the contact of the helmet to lower mask bar, and not the
whiplash motion, appears to be the initial mode of helmet ejection, and
that the violent whiplash finished the job. Ironically, the biggest
positive of the hit was that his helmet actually came off easily, which
happens to be an issue that has come up over the last couple of years as
helmets are being made easier to put on. That’s why you see so many
helmets rolling around after plays these days.

You are about as bias as they come because you probably have never played football. This was a bad hit, not an illegal hit. It wasn’t after the fact and way after the ball was down field. It’s what happens when yo play football you pansey. So go ahead Mr. Bias because you don’t know your a$$ from a football.

Ryan

I’m a die-hard broncos fan, but the first thing I said when I saw the replay of the hit was, and I quote: That’s just nasty and uncalled for. I love Joe, hes a great person on and off the field and I think it’s obvious he didn’t intend for his hit to be so viscoius but it was and he should pay the price for that.

You “love Joe”??? Would you lay down your life trying to protect him from a mad man? Do you financially support him? Does he cry on your shoulder when sad?

Does he even know you?

I think you need to re-define the word “love” in the dictionary of your mind…

Shaun

Um not even close… Mitch Unrein hit Schaub as mays was getting there, which threw mays’ hit off target, thereby unintentional… Did u watch Darius Heyward-Bey get blasted by the steelers?? Or even cushing hitting manning in the same exact game leading with the helmet??

Whether intentional or not, it was an illegal hit and there are consequences for it. That type of hit could have caused a major injury. Had it been intentional, Im sure he’d have been suspended for more than 1 game and the fine would have been greater. Just like if you “accidentally” hit another car, there are consequences for your actions. If you deliberately aim to hit a car, the consequence is usually more severe.

How on earth would anyone know what Joe Mays’ true intentions are? He really decided to put the QB out of the game, in order to win it? How would one know that for certain? It was a blitz. He ran fast and hard at the QB. From there, it’s speculation.

I thought it was a cheap shot to the head with the helment, I would fine him and bench him 4 games. I love foot ball and it is a rought game but cheap shots with the helment have no place in sports and neither do the players who try to injure another player on purpose .John Fox is lying I think they need to fine him also. loss my respect for mr Fox who never could coach anyway.

KM

Great video here. It clearly shows the linebacker drop his head and then just before impact drive upward with the crown of his helmet into the side of the quarterback’s helmet. The NFL can use use this in future official training as their example of “launching”.

nick

Mays should get at least 2 games for this crap. Zero respect for the game of football.

Of course Mays tried to hurt Shaub. Who is Fox trying to kid?

tellurider

I’ve coached hs football for 17 years. Mays did not attempt to make a legal tackle. I’ve watched a lot of game film and it is very clear when a player is attempting to use the helmet as a weapon and when the helmet is part of a clean hit. The rules are specific with respect to quarterbacks and defenseless receivers. Minimum $50K fine and 3 game suspension. Get used to it Bronco nation. Mays is prepping for the fine and suspension, whereas the most ridiculous comments have come from Fox. Of course, he was trying to hurt him; it was the Broncos best chance at changing the game course.

Paul

It’s pretty well-documented that Mays likes to hit hard, a lot of players do, but you have no way to know he was trying to hurt him.

Dave

I think Cushing might get a fine from the NFL for a helmet to helmet on Manning.

Let’s not forget that this cheap shot came on the heels of the Von Miller cheap shot on the previous play, which at least was a football play. Don’t remember the last time I saw back to back roughing the passer penalties. You have to be pretty stupid as a football team to cough up two in a row. It didn’t faze Schaub. Re Denver, the chop block capital of the world has been home to dirty football for decades. The big story is that Mr. Ed up in the booth may have had a gun, but he doesn’t have a football mind. 1-2 and on the way to oblivion, or the Holiday Bowl. Too bad Denver doesn’t make the playoffs. I’d love to see the whupping at Reliant.

Paul

“Chop block capital of the world”? “Dirty football”? Kubiak was the Broncos offensive coordinator before going to Houston and they’re running the Broncos old offensive system. Surely you’re aware of this.

JG

Mays should have been ejected for that hit. “That’s not Joe Mays” my a!!. It was Joe Mays doing that. Football players are thugs at heart playing within the restraints of the rules of the game and try to get away with what they can. I love the game of football but I really dislike the built-in violence. When I saw that hit I said “eject that guy”. Now’s he’s all apologetic and explanatory. Right.

At some point, the QB’s have to protect themselves. That is how it was in the old days and the QBs that lasted knew to throw it away when 3 defenders were converging on them in the open field! It is ridiculous to think that a QB can roll out on a naked boot and no defender can hit them because they might make contact with their helmet and draw a flag.

sayitaintsojoe

If that happened to Peyton Manning he would be in Craig Hospital or dead today. Shameful…

BS, it was TOTALLY obvious he meant to injure. Suspend the thug. Pretty sad when you have to cheat and you STILL can’t win. Bronco fans can bury their heads in the sand, but the truth is in the video. Maybe a bounty investigation for the Broncos

Where in the video does it show that he meant to injure him? I can certainly see that he drilled him in the earhole, but that doesn’t prove any intent to injure.

B E

I’m a Bronco fan but also a football fan. From this angle, that hit was wrong. Thanks to the loop, I’m trying to see the intent of the tackler, what did the QB do just before the hit, etc. Unless the hit is seen differently from another angle, May lowered his head, the QB did not lower his head and May wasn’t trying to wrap him up; he wanted to knock his helmet off. Very disappointing to see a Bronco play the way it appears.

D1 C-USA

I’m here in Houston and I was pissed when everyone started boo-hooing about it being a “dirty” hit. Shaub got rocked & it was clean. Like Mays & everyone else said , it was a “bang bang” play. It still looks to me like Mays’ shoulder/chest hits Shaub’s shoulder first. Besides Shaub milked it for a flag and was dedinitely acting when his helmet flew off… what football player holds his head like that?! Bogus. NFL is turning really soft. I hope QBs don’t start “acting” like soccer players & NBA player, to get flags.

JT

lol the only one acting is u, but what do i expect from a Denver fan. just shows how classy people in the stadium were, when that illegal hit could have seriously injured someone. BTW put a helmet on your head, and have someone with a sledge hammer knock it off, tell me if your ears won’t be hurting from getting clipped by the chin strap. GTFO your post just equals clear bias.

B E

I’m a Bronco fan and a football fan. That hit wasn’t right. Thanks to the loop motion of the video clip, I’m able to look at the angle of his hit, what the QB was doing, and when the throw took place. Very disappointing Mays hit him leading with his helmet. He wasn’t even trying to wrap him up; he lowered his head and tried to knock his helmet up. A moment of frustration or immaturity, I don’t know. A pro football player is paid well to be tough but know when to let up and try the next play. He should man up and confess to lessen the penalty. Now the Broncos will have to find someone to fill his position since I know he’ll be suspended. As if the defense doesn’t have enough problems!

D1 C-USA

You’re making statements as if you knew 100% his intentions ! “He lowered his head and tried to knock his helmet up” ?! Even in slow motion Mays hits him a split second after the ball leaves his hand. If the gentleman above can assume what he’s thinking then I should also, coming around the left side like that I’m pretty sure Mays was thinking “blindside forced fumble”! Besides how IS he supposed to “let up” 10 inches away from Shaub during mid-sprint or this case mid-hit??
Also look at Unrein, he comes in at the same trajectory just later and misses.
Anyways, games over Houston wins & Goodell will fine Mays.

“Football is not a contact sport , DANCING is a contact sport. Football is a COLLISION sport.” – that Lombardi guy.

Paul

So in other words, Cushing did the same thing, but Texans fans are only outraged when their guy gets hit.

Randy

Cushing was pulling back by the time he hit Manning. Mays just lowered his head and plowed into Schaub. He’s lying when he says that Schaub ducked his head a bit right before the hit. No, it is clear in the GIF above, no attempt to tackle, just hit him as hard as he can no matter what.

Paul

Helmet-to-helmet is helmet-to-helmet. I’m not sure what you think you mean by “pulling back”. He drove his helmet into Manning’s.

Randy

Don’t be such a homer. On that play, he was penalized for it, and I remember Manning falling back on his own, then grabbing his helmet to bait the call. No, it was NOT the same kind of hit Schaub took.

Paul

How is it not? It’s helmet-to-helmet, both plays got called for a penalty. Cushing is not “pulling back”, he’s got his arms around Manning on the hit. It’s not me being a homer, I didn’t defend the helmet-to-helmet hit, though it seems you are defending Cushing’s hit.

Randy

You clearly don’t understand how to use your words wisely. Reading your other comments on here, I can tell we just aren’t going to see eye-to-eye, but you did say they were the same hit, and clearly they were not. I never saw Manning’s helmet come flying off. I never saw any trainers have to rush out to check on Manning. I don’t recall everyone in the media calling Cushing’s hit dirty.

Paul

So Cushing’s wasn’t dirty because Manning’s helmet stayed on, he stayed in the game and the media hasn’t overplayed it? That’s ridiculous logic.
They’re both illegal helmet-to-helmet hits. Odd how it’s just fine when you’re guy does it.
And I like how when Manning grabs his helmet you say he’s trying to “bait the call.” It couldn’t have been because of the hit, could it? I’m sure you wouldn’t claim Schaub was baiting the call when he grabbed his head.
Complaining about a helmet-to-helmet when the other team does it, but defending when your guy does is the definition of “homer”.

Randy

I was stating that they were NOT the same as you keep alluding to. Yes, Paul, they were both illegal, both the Brocos hits were vicious, dirty, and uncalled for in a sport. Continue to go and bitch about Texans fans getting angry about it, but you’re sitting here trying to tell me that Cushing did “the same thing to Manning” when he clearly did not. No, a helmet-to-helmet hit is not always the same. Take off those homer glasses and look at the Cushing play again and try and tell me they were remotely the same. C’mon man…

Joey Charpentier

It’s hard to say Schaub baited a call when a chunk of his ear was missing from the play. I won’t claim Manning baited anything, but on that play I didn’t see Cushing with a clear shot to get a clean tackle but instead lower his helmet and hit with it. He was using his whole body on the play, not aiming his head like a missle at Manning’s dome.

Paul

Yeah, I wouldn’t say either quarterback baited a call, it was the other poster’s claim that Manning did. Though I’m not sure why you’re now defending Cushing’s helmet-to-helmet hit.

Randy

It’s simple, if you saw Manning take the 2 shots Schaub did, you and every other Broncos fan that’s in denial would be pissed off too.

houston proud

John Fox is a scum bag coach glad he is in Denver Fire him now as he has ruined teams with his stupid coaching style and poor attitude

Mays is full of crap. Schaub did not “duck” down, and Mays launched himself helmet first, and head down straight into Schaub’s head. He should have been ejected and he should be suspended along with a six-figure fine. With everything that happened around the Saints, the NFL would be setting s double standard not to be aggressive on this. Especially when there were back-to-back roughing plays. Schaub was driving forcefully into the ground on the previous play too. Dirty, dirt play from Denver. Filthy.

Paul

If Schaub didn’t duck down at all, Mays couldn’t have hit his helmet. Schaub has six inches on Mays.

SW

Hey Steve, you spelled your last name wrong…..Its a C not an H.

Paul

Wow, if giving up 25 points is a dominant defensive performance, you guys are in trouble when you’re defense doesn’t dominate.

Then why did Cushing get to finish the game? He hit Manning helmet-to-helmet. None of those hits were deserving of ejections. Flags, yes. Ejections, no.

Jamie Arellano

It happened because Schaub is a Man and stepped into the pass with defenders coming in fast. Many QB’s would not have had the balls to step into that throw. Schaub turned after Mays made his move. Mays was heading into his shoulder.

Tony Brooks

Dere is no dirty hits its football the only reason it is so loved is for the hits thats y noone watches flag football

greg watson

Omg its football shit like that is gonna happen get over it

Elwaysucks

The off-season steroids Elway’s been pumping into his veins sent him into a killer rage, its shrunken brain syndrome for sure…
oh, and testicles…

Steve

This is just an absolutely ridiculous comment. That is complete slander. Mays has been this big since early in his COLLEGE career. Whether it is a legal hit or not is up for debate. I really don’t think all these helmet to helmet hits are always the fault of the defense. I saw one this weekend where the offensive player lowered his helmet (ducking down) and the defender didn’t have a chance to anticipate that at all. But by the rules helmet to helmet is always the fault of the defender.

You may want to get past the second round for the first time before you start talking about ‘rolling through the playoffs’! I’m a Texans fan, but it’s a bit early to start talking about ‘rolling’ anywhere in January.

gepo

Mays needs to be expeled for the rest of the year! It was a dirty intentional hit to the head. The video clearly shows him hitting with the helment to helment! Denver was getting there ass whooped and they were frustraited.

Gene

Wow! So many opinions on this hit… Why? It’s football, people are going to be hit. Legal or illegal it’s going to happen. Let’s just be glad they both walked away, and move on.

Dncngirl

I was @ that game, and all of the people around me were booing the call. I was like-that was a nasty dirty hit. I saw it live @ the game and I couldn’t believe he wasn’t ejected. I am a die-hard Broncos fan, but not blinded by my team. I said at the time that he would be fined. I asked the person I was with how these fans would react if the Texans defense hit Manning that same way.

The defender extents his helmet to deliver maximum force, he follows through, he doesn’t attempt to wrap up….this has fines and suspension written all over it. The problem isn’t just this hit. It’s the context of the hit. It was following a play where a Bronco defender picked up and slammed down Schaub on the ground for a personal foul. I am not accusing anyone of anything, but if the Bronco coaches had told the defense to try and intentionally hurt Schaub this is EXACTLY the two type of plays I would expect to see. I think there was a lot of frustration on the Broncos sideline and it manifested it’s self with illegal and malicious hits. Everyone should agree there is no room in this game for this kind of play.

Im an NDSU alum and have been following Joe since college. He was just trying to make an impact play. Joes been running people over like that for years its part of his game. Dont be a hater…the guy is as classy on and off the field as they come. Keep it up Mays I’ll be the guy in the green #8 jersey jumping outta my seat when you lay licks like that. Go Bison!!

Mario

One of the worst illegal, viciousl hits I have seen this season! No reason for it! Mays deserves to be heavily fined and / or suspended for a game or 2! I am surprised a fight was not started!

Joe375

Lindsay you obviously don’t know football that hit was so illegal

JakeLocker

Illegal hit that will come with a $50 K fine. This hit could of ended a career. Schaub tore up the defense and they were going to take him out at any cost. If I were commissioner I would suspend hays for a game. Dirty. Play the game.

I am not a fan or non-fan of either team; but, After downloading an HD vid and watching this frame by frame from 2 angles, and having coached youth and school teams for years, there is no doubt, that dipping, leading, and placement of the helmet was indeed intentional. Further, the contact of the helmet to lower mask bar, and not the whiplash motion, appears to be the initial mode of helmet ejection, and that the violent whiplash finished the job. Ironically, the biggest positive of the hit was that his helmet actually came off easily, which happens to be an issue that has come up over the last couple of years as helmets are being made easier to put on. That’s why you see so many helmets rolling around after plays these days.

Kat

So Mays is essentially blaming Schuab for that hit?! Wow. That’s screwed up. I wish they would suspend him for at least a game.

Paul

He’s not blaming Schaub. A player can’t always change how he’s going to hit someone in a split second when the player he’s hiting has ducked or changed positions.

Paul

Helmet-to-helmet is helmet-to-helmet, illegal in all cases. What’s the issue – that Mays’ hit was harder? I haven’t defended Mays’ hit, though somehow you think I have. He’ll get fined, maybe even suspended, and should get at least fined. It’s strange that you have defended Cushing’s hit. You’re calling me the homer, oddly, but I haven’t defended my guy’s illegal hit, while you have. Figure it out – do you always have a problem with helmet-to-helmet hits or only when another team does it?

v

Mays is not known as a ‘Dirty’ Player so I believe him. If it happens again…then I won’t!

50 grand. CHA-CHING!
Suspended for one game – KERPOW!
Appealing like a girly-man – WHAAAAAA!!!!!

Mays is obviously a player who can dish it out but he sure can’t take it like one. Sit down GOON, and take your punishment like a MAN!

Puck Me Up

The hit was at the very least reckless and I’m not even remotely surprised about his suspension or hefty fine. As a Broncos fan watching the game live, as soon as it happened, I shouted out “WTF was he thinking?” Maybe this will be a valuable lesson to him and Moore who can seem to show up to make an occasional big and dirty hit, but couldn’t make a decent tackle if his life depended on it.

This game is dangerous as it is and the last thing this sport needs is more injuries. If the tables were turned, and it was Manning who got leveled, most of us would have been calling for his noggin at the very least. So let’s keep it fair folks!

Sappo M.

Let someone hit Manning like this and see what Fox thinks. Manning’s career would be history if Joe had been playing for the Texans. And Elway’s sons best friend would be the quarterback for the Broncos for the next ten years, a college quarterback who averaged 1.8 yards per carry and a college quarterback who lost his last five games.

Shaun

Where is cushing’s fine & suspension??

gkeefe7

If you look closely at the replay it is the shoulder of Mays that makes contact first. Sure it was a hard hit but we are playing football. It is correct that Shaub didn’t duck his head but the speed of the game is something some of you folks just fail to comprehend. In today’s NFL Mays got the punishment that goes along with the guidelines in these areas. I dobut if many of you have even played the game so you have no comprehension about what happens when you put 22 people on the field in a contact sport. Illegal hit yes but by no means dirty.

missinromanowski53

tell shob to let his balls drop, there’s blood on his left ear and milky on his right tit, its football nut up and play if you dont want to get hurt go play tennis he’s better off there, manning didnt pout and cry and go out of the game after cushings hit which was way worse so niether should shob. im happy to see von miller and joe mays slam him into the earth back to back plays that just shows me the nasty orange crush defense is back, im so sick of this new bitchmade NFL before long you arent going to be allow too touch an offensive player they will all be wearing flags, maybe i should watch rugby instead where actual men play. Tired of the NoFunLeague they should promote tampons instead of nike.

Let them play Football..if players can’t hack it choose another sport..like underwater basket weaving or the likes..A hit by any other hit is a hit…
that’s football, people…if you don’t like don’t watch..ping pong has a channel..

JG

Blatant head hunting. The video proves it. Head first right into the QB’s head. Joe Mays, nice guy.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.